Sweetwater trustee calls for ban on all gifts

SOUTH COUNTY  In an email to Superintendent Ed Brand, Sweetwater Union High School District Trustee John McCann proposed a ban on all gifts to board members from vendors. He also requested his suggestion be docketed for discussion at the June board meeting.

Citing “continuing efforts to raise ethical standards at Sweetwater,” McCann said he wants to ban board members from accepting any gifts, tickets, meals or travel from vendors currently doing business or actively seeking business with the district. Adopting such an action would help restore the district’s credibility and put the focus back on students, he said.

Two current and two former Sweetwater Union High School District officials face corruption charges for allegedly taking meals and other considerations in exchange for multimillion dollar construction contracts. All have pleaded not guilty.

“A complete ban of gifts would allow interactions with vendors to be simple and transparent,” McCann wrote in the email dated May 20. “It would protect the district from undue scrutiny.”

Under state law, elected officials can accept up to $420 in gifts annually from any one person or cumulatively from one organization. Any gifts over $50 must be disclosed.

District spokeswoman Grace Sevilla said McCann submitted his proposal to Superintendent Brand too late to be included on the calendar for the June 11 meeting. However, Brand did forward McCann’s idea to board President Pearl Quiñones for consideration and it is possible it could be discussed when the board meets in July, she said.

“When they (board members) bring an idea to him, his standard is he will only put it on the agenda if three members of the board recommend or request that he do that,” Sevilla said of Brand. “That applies to whatever the topic is, whoever brings it.